Washington, DC – Two LGBTQ candidates in Texas are on-track to make history after big primary wins on Tuesday night. Lupe Valdez won the Democratic nomination for Texas governor and would be the first openly lesbian governor in the country if elected in November. Gina Ortiz Jones won her primary for Congressional district 23 and would become the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from Texas if she wins in the general.

Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about Lupe’s win:

“Tonight Texans made history by making Lupe Valdez the first openly lesbian woman to win the gubernatorial nomination from a major political party – the latest in a series of groundbreaking wins for LGBTQ candidates in the state. While bigoted state legislators in Austin continue to divide the state and target our community, Texans are voting for LGBTQ candidates because we are authentic, values-driven leaders who deliver on promises. That is why Lupe won, and we will work hard to expose Governor Abbott’s cynical politics of divisiveness and showcase Lupe’s positive agenda for Texans over the next five months.”

Mayor Parker was the first openly LGBTQ person elected mayor of a major American city in 2010.

Election results are still coming in for other Victory Fund-endorsed candidates with primaries tonight.

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LGBTQ Victory Fund

LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.